It was a sea of musculature as Club Industry, the expo for fitness business professionals, returned to Chicago after spending last year in Las Vegas.
The conference/exhibit took place Oct. 23-25 at McCormick Place.
The name of the game this year was efficiency, as various exhibitors and items ( ranging from software to suspension items ) underscored how people can accomplish more things in less time. As columnist/TV personality Andrea Metcalf told Windy City Times, people can get a lot more done and achieve results faster "even if they exercise 10 minutes a day, as opposed to working out two or three times a week."
Some of the interesting exhibitors included:
Orange Theory Fitness: The company says it "is the first of its kind and only heart-rate-monitored, high-intensity interval training based on science." Facilities would employ Orange Theory Fitness spaces ( about 3,000 square feet ) that include free weights, suspension training and treadmills.
NuStep: There is no excuse for not exercising with this unit, as the abled and disabled alike can use the recumbent cross-trainer. Features include grab rings ( for support ); a 360-degree swivel seat that supports up to 400 pounds; and arm adjustments.
Bilt: With former Olympic decathlete Dan O'Brien working out on this machine, it was hard to miss this unit. Underscoring the theme of efficiency, machines allow a combination of weight resistance and movement. Tennis icon Andre Agassi and his coach, Gil Reyes, came up with the machines with names such as The Quad and C.O.D.
Glute Force: Yes, you read that name correctlyand, as you can guess, the multifunctional machine focuses on the derriere. ( People can also strengthen their hamstrings and abdominals. ) Figure/bodybuilding professionals Jeannie Keating, Jerry Hornback and Paula Hornback developed Glute Force.
HydroMassage: This bed delivers a wave of water that spans the full length of the user's body. Supposedly, 10 minutes are all that's neededstay much longer and people might fall asleep.
Performance Pin: This smart invention allows people to use weight machines without having to stop to adjust weight levels. Say you're lifting at 80-, 120- and 160-lb. levels, with Performance Pins at the 120 and 160 marks; once you're done with the 160 ( and the weight makes contact ), that pin is ejected, automatically making 120 the next weight you lift.
Karma wellness water: Available in five varietiesbody ( raspberry/guava/jackfruit ), mind ( orange/mango ), balance ( acai/pomberry ), vitality ( pineapple/coconut ) and spirit ( passionfruit/green tea )Karma has vitamins and nutrients stored in the bottles' caps until the user releases them into the water. The flavor's pretty nice, I must admit.
Photos by Andrew Davis